Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings | Types and Safety Information

Stainless steel has risen to the status of one of the most preferred metals for a wide range of applications in the past century; from the framework of skyscrapers to the kitchen sink, from the pens used for writing to the railway tracks. Steel is everywhere. Stainless steel is basically an alloy made by the addition of chromium to the alloy mix. Chromium protects the alloy from damage caused due to corrosion by contact with air or water.

The common types of stainless steel pipe fittings used for industrial purposes are made from high graded steel. These fittings are made from austenite stainless steel which is manufactured by combining iron with either manganese or nickel for which makes them durable in addition to chromium.

However, some industrial applications of stainless steel pipe fittings however need even more intense levels of corrosion resistance and durability. These are those industries which deal in highly volatile chemicals, or need high temperature combustion. The stainless steel pipe fitting used over here is manufactured by adding nitrogen and molybdenum and is known as super austenite stainless steel pipe fitting. This highly anti-corrosive is even resistant against pitting which is hard to detect.

For example, crevice corrosion (a type of corrosion that causes the stainless steel pipe fittings to weaken at certain points which are more vulnerable where seams exist.) is extremely hard to identify as it occurs in microscopic areas initially, does not occur in these super austenite pipes . In addition to this, presence of bacteria, welding operations and other such related factors are also reasons of corrosion.

One thing to be taken note of here is the fact that super austenite stainless steel pipe fittings are expensive and yes, there are cheaper alternatives available today with a highly similar amount of durability and anti corrosive qualities. These varieties of stainless steel pipe fittings are manufactured from a type of steel that has a lower amount of alloying elements. Consequently the cost of them is lower.

One of these cheap types of stainless steel pipe fittings are those made from duplex steel. Duplex steel has basically got two different and unique crystalline formations. One of them is austenite and the other is ferrite. Chromium and molybdenum are added to this added to this combination as also nickel in a small proportion. A more complex and sophisticated version of this duplex steel is known to be more resistant to corrosion and is called super duplex steel.

Stainless steel pipe fittings, flanges and pipes made from super duplex and duplex steel have a range of applications in the industry. Some of them are the manufacture of water desalination plants, cooling systems, as also in the manufacture of gas, chemicals and oil.

The pipes which are used to transport dangerous and volatile substances are under constant threat of being damaged or corroded. This may pose a serious threat to the population at large. Hence, stainless steel pipe fittings of the above three types are also used while transporting hazardous substances.